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June 30, 2010

Havelock approves budget

Havelock commissioners unanimously adopted a $15.7 million budget that includes various fee increases and what will amount to a property tax increase for most.

“We spent a whole lot of time trying to make it as easy as possible on people,” said commissioner Will Lewis, referencing concerns Havelock residents had expressed about the impact Craven County’s recent property revaluations would have on their pocket books.

The city’s old rate of .53 cents per $100 in property value was cut to 46.5 cents. Still, many will see an increase in their tax bills because of increased property values through the revaluation process. Revenue neutral, the rate that would have produced the same amount of revenue for the city as the previous year, was 44.5 cents.

Commissioners said the budget leaves the city at the bare bones in providing services for residents.

“We cut just about everything except for fire and police,” Lewis said. “We did sacrifice a lot in house.”

Commissioner George Liner pointed out that the board sent City Finance Director Lee Tillman and city staff back five times to make cuts and adjustments in the proposed budget.

“We put the staff through the wringer on this,” he said. “It’s not a perfect budget, but it’s the best budget for this board.”

Commissioner Danny Walsh, addressed those attending and looked into the cameras in place for the televised meeting.

“We argued a lot. We didn’t see eye-to-eye, but we came up with a budget with your help,” he said.

Walsh, who is mayor pro tem, conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Jimmy Sanders, whose mother died on Sunday.

For city customers, the budget includes a water increase of 6 percent, which includes a 2.6 percent Consumer Price Index adjustment. The sewer rate will increase 2.6 percent for the CPI adjustment.

Trash collection will rise from $11.00 to $13.25 largely to offset increased tipping costs incurred by the contractor, Waste Industries and also to pay for city costs associated with pickup of yard debris and bulk goods.

The $15,755,165 budget is about $40,000 less than the previous budget and leaves $9.6 million in the city’s reserve fund.

The board decided to spend $528,715 from the general fund to pay off project loans including $147,333 for ball field lighting, $39,938 for a phone system upgrade, $278,527 for new software and $62,918 for playground equipment. It was announced at the meeting that Craven County had obligated to pay $15,000 toward the field lighting costs.

Other expenses in the budget included $45,563 for the Havelock-Craven County Library, $4,000 for the Havelock Appearance Commission, $3,000 for the board’s discretionary funds, $500 for the Havelock Community Band and $2,100 for the art committee. The board had budgeted $2,100 for the Allies for Cherry Point, but added $2,900 more to bring the outlay to $5,000.

The board also approved a motion for $5,000 for ACT to use for publications for informational purposes concerning placement of F-35B squadrons at Cherry Point.

The Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation was not funded, however, a promise was extended that if the group raised money, the board would match what funds were raised.

The board budgeted no money for the Havelock Historical Society or the Havelock Regional Development Commission.

In capital expenditures, the city has budgeted $120,843 for rehabilitation of the public safety building and $115,000 for a new EMS vehicle.

The budget does not allow for cost-of-living adjustments, employee career development, employee longevity or employee education reimbursement for city employees, but does not include furloughs for the city employees.

However, the board in a separate action did approve through its consent agenda a 2 percent merit increase for City Manager Jim Freeman.

May 27, 2010

Navy prefers to base eight F-35 squadrons at Cherry Point

HAVELOCK — Cherry Point air station would get eight squadrons of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters
under the preferred basing plan proposed by the Navy.

The Navy released its draft environmental study on the basing options for 11 operational squadrons and two fleet replacement squadrons of F-35s on Wednesday.

The F-35 is eventually scheduled to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of AV-8B Harriers, EA-6B Prowlers and F/A-18 Hornets.

Cherry Point currently has three operational Harrier squadrons, one training Harrier squadron and four squadrons of Prowlers at the base.

The Navy prefers to place the other three operational F-35 squadrons and two fleet replacement squadrons at Beaufort, S.C. That Marine Corps air base currently has seven squadrons of Hornets.

With up to 16 jets in each squadron, the Navy’s preferred alternative would increase the number of aircraft at Cherry Point from 140 to 174. Cherry Point would also see nearly 1,200 additional military personnel stationed at the base.

The Navy has scheduled public hearings on the report for 4 to 7 p.m. June 15 at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center in Havelock, June 16 at the Emerald Isle Community Center and June 17 at Fred A. Anderson Elementary in Bayboro and will also take written comments on the plan through July 12 before issuing its final basing report this fall, most likely in November. The Navy is expected to make its final decision in December.

“Cherry Point has always been and will continue to be a superb base for Marine aviators to train for our nation’s battles,” Col. Douglas Denn, commanding officer at Cherry Point, said in a statement. “I think the recommendation to station eight squadrons at Cherry Point is a tribute to the outstanding support we have received from our local community throughout the environmental impact process.

“This new aircraft will be a critical tool for Marines to use in our nation’s defense with MCAS Cherry Point offering unique training airspace and ranges. Additionally, if the proposed basing is approved, it will provide a tremendous economic impact to the region with the associated military construction necessary to support the new capabilities.”

The Navy’s second preferred option would be to place all 11 operational squadrons at Cherry Point, while placing the two replacement squadrons in Beaufort, S.C.

“I’m a greedy sort. I would have preferred 11,” said Havelock Mayor Jimmy Sanders, who is also head of Allies for Cherry Point’s Tomorrow, a lobby group for the base. “We’re still going to work on 11, but eight is good.”

The Navy calls its preferred alternative the basing option that best “balances environmental impacts with mission requirements.”

If the placement of the eight squadrons at Cherry Point happens, area officials believe it virtually assures a long future for Cherry Point. The F-35 is expected to be operational for the next 50 years.

“If we get those eight squadrons, things will be good for a really long time,” Sanders said. “It’s certainly an exciting time. This is a major transformation of Cherry Point. We’re been with the Harriers for 40 years. The F-35 is going to be the next phase of Cherry Point.”

The Fleet Readiness Center East rework and repair facility at Cherry Point has already been tasked to be the major engine overhaul facility for the F-35B and will also handle airframe repair for the jets.

“That would be additional work. For the next several generations, this will be the key part of this region’s economy,” said Jim Davis, executive director of the Craven County Economic Development Commission.

Regional officials had been anticipating the release of the study for months.

“This will be fantastic,” Havelock Commissioner Danny Walsh said. “We look forward to the increase. I will be tickled pink if all this comes about.”

Officials are already pushing for a large turnout at the public hearings as a show of support for the base.

“You need to mark your calendar. You need to make sure that the Navy and the Marine Corps are welcome in this part of North Carolina,” Sanders said. “We can’t sit back. This is an opportunity. The public hearings will be our chance to say that we want these aircraft to be part of our
community. They’ve been part of our community for the better part of 70 years.”

The Navy’s preferred basing option would result in an 8.5 percent increase in Cherry Point’s workforce, according to the report. That would result in a long-term gain of $46.9 million in annual payroll income.

Four hangars would have to be demolished and eight new modular hangars would be built for the jets. Cherry Point’s control tower would be demolished and rebuilt, and aviation armament, machine shops and instructional facility would also be constructed.

Total construction costs over seven years are estimated at nearly $508 million, and about 1,500 construction jobs, producing $53.5 million in labor income, would be needed, according to the report.

The impact on Havelock could be significant as well, with 2,323 new dependents, including 675 school-age children, coming to the area.

“I think it’s great that there are going to be so many jobs created and that our commissioners are getting our infrastructure ready for this,” said Stephanie Duncan, executive director of the Havelock Chamber of Commerce. “I want them here yesterday. It will be great for us once we get
them.”

Havelock is in the planning stages to construct a new sewer discharge pipe that would increase sewer wastewater capacity by 260,000 gallons per day by 2012. The Navy report estimated an additional 244,000 gallons of sewer capacity would be needed to handle the additional personnel.

“We’re looking at a 30-month window for completion,” Sanders said. “I think we’re going to be more than ready to accommodate.”

The earliest the new jets are expected to arrive at Cherry Point is 2014, according to the report. However, replacement of all Harrier squadrons is not anticipated until 2020, and Navy calls for a nine-year implementation of the basing option, which would run through 2023.

Construction associated with the new squadrons is anticipated to start next year. The Navy also anticipates deactivating Cherry Point’s Harrier training squadron in 2011 as well. The F-35 training squadrons are already in place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The Navy report estimates that 3,337 more acres would be exposed to noise levels of 65 decibels or greater. However, it does not anticipate louder noise over any Havelock area school.

Noise had been a concern, especially surrounding Bogue Field, an auxiliary landing field in Carteret Carteret just north of Cape Carteret where some complained about loud jets disrupting the coastal setting. However, the Navy report mentions flights at Bogue Field would be reduced under the preferred basing alternative.

Billy Keyserling, mayor of Beaufort, S.C., said he was just getting into the heart of the Navy’s report.

“Of course the good news is that Beaufort remains in the mix, that we have a longstanding partnership with the (Department of Defense),” Keyserling said. “We enjoy a very special relationship through which we have created unique partnerships to protect airspace and room for MCAS Beaufort to grow.

“I think it is fair to say the community will be very enthusiastic about what they read.”

The Navy’s second choice is to place 11 squadrons at Cherry Point and two in Beaufort, S.C., while the third would place five squadrons at Cherry Point and the fourth would place just two at Cherry Point.

May 21, 2010

Board to hear from residents on budget

Proposal includes higher trash fee

The Havelock Board of Commissioners will hear comments from residents on the proposed 2010-11 budget during its meeting on Monday night.

The proposed $15.4 million budget includes what amounts to a property tax increase as well as proposed water and sewer rate increases, and an increase for trash collection.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Havelock City Hall.

During a budget work session this week, commissioners discussed a $2.25 increase for trash collection that would bring the total cost to $13.25 per residence. The program began in 2008 with an $11 monthly fee.

Dan Harbaugh, public services director, told the board during a budget workshop that the city’s customers are getting a real high level of service for that fee, but that there may have to be adjustments to collection of yard waste and bulk goods.

Of the current $11 fee, $8.43 per customer was initially paid to Waste Industries to make weekly pickups of trash. The remaining $2.57 was intended to pay for costs associated with the city’s collection of yard waste and bulk goods, such as old refrigerators.

However, an increase in landfill fees last year prompted city payments to Waste Industries to increase to $8.60 per customer and whittled away at that $2.57.

The city did not increase trash fees, but more landfill increases has caused another 17-cent increase per customer this year.

“As the landfill goes up we pay more. That’s the bottom line,” said Dave Harvell, assistant city manager.

To make matters worse, the Consumer Price Index went up 2.6 percent, which will increase the fee another 13 cents as of July.

In July, the city will be paying $8.90 per customer to Waste Industries.

Havelock has had to take money out of its reserve fund every year to finance the operation of the trash program, but city officials would like to ultimately charge customers enough money to make it self-sustaining.

“We’re not putting aside enough money for the enterprise fund in order to make it self-supporting,” Harbaugh said. “We have to address it.”

Commissioner Danny Walsh said he would rather increase trash fees than taxes.

“If I have a choice between raising trash or raising taxes, I’d prefer to raise trash,” he said.

The proposed budget includes a tax rate of 47.5 cents per $100 in property value. That is below the current rate of 53 cents. However, with county property revaluations this year, the tax rate would amount to a 3.5-cent property tax increase over the revenue neutral amount of 44 cents.

Also at issue in the budget is decreased revenue in Powell Bill funding generated from state gasoline taxes. The money is used for street, sidewalk and drainage projects in the city.

The city has been spending more on such projects than the amount of Powell Bill money that has been received.

“A goal of this board is to stop spending in excess of the Powell Bill funds,” Mayor Jimmy Sanders said. “The bleeding needs to stop.”

Harbaugh said four city workers that collect yard and bulk waste are being taken away from work they could be doing on Powell Bill projects.

“I’ve got a real management nightmare,” Harbaugh said.

Commissioners discussed the possibility of reducing the frequency of yard debris and bulk waste pickup as a solution.

One of the main goals of the new trash program was to “clean up” the city of debris that was not being collected on a regular basis.

“The town’s cleaner,” Commissioner Jim Stuart said. “I’m tickled to death with it, but we’re now finding out what the cost is.”

May 12, 2010

Study: Reckless Spending Behind ForeclosuresDid banks prey on unwitting consumers or did borrowers go into foreclosure because they stretched further than they should have?

Researchers at the University of Arkansas found that most households in foreclosure were relatively affluent and highly educated people with few or no children, living in geographical areas that experienced extremely rapid real estate appreciation.

The researchers divided U.S. households into 21 life-stage groups, using data from a variety of sources. Then they identified which groups experienced the most foreclosures. The group with the highest foreclosure percentage was one they dubbed “Cash & Careers,” affluent adults born between the mid-1960s and the early 1970s.

Members of this group had high household incomes, high education levels, high home values, and none to only a few children. Also, members of this group were classified as aggressive investors, most of whom lived in areas – California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida – with rapid real estate appreciation.

“The policy implication from our results is that strong consumer protection laws, though necessary to prevent Wall Street banks from offering high-risk loans to the most vulnerable – will not be sufficient to prevent another financial crisis like the one the U.S. economy experienced in 2007 and 2008,” says Tim Yeager, associate professor of economics and lead author of the study.

Organization suggests basing 11 F-35B squadrons at Cherry Point

Navy’s impact study yet to be released

A draft report created for North Carolina’s Eastern Region Development Commission says that the Marine Corps should consider placing 11 squadrons of F-35B Joint Strike Fighters at Cherry Point air station.

RTI International Center for Technology Applications prepared the report for the commission, which received a $115,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation to pay for it. The N.C. Eastern Region, a regional economic development partnership of eastern counties, promotes the region and its business opportunities.

The F-35B is currently being tested, and production models of the plane will be replacing the Marine Corps’ aging fleet of AV-8B Harriers, EA-6B Prowlers and F-18 Hornets.

The Navy is conducting an environmental impact study that will detail basing options for the 168 aircraft that make up the 11 squadrons. That draft study could be released as early as next month.

Five basing alternatives are being considered between Cherry Point and Beaufort, S.C., with Cherry Point receiving as few as 40 or as many as 128 jets.

Citing the huge and long-term economic impact, local officials have been lobbying for as many jet squadrons as possible to be located at Cherry Point. The estimated economic impact per squadron is $30 million to $35 million annually.

The RTI draft report states that Cherry Point would have continued base health with all 11 squadrons and protection from any Base Realignment and Closure process. It also reports that the alternative would increase military readiness and have high community support.

The report also lists Fleet Readiness Center East as another reason to base all the jets at Cherry Point.

“Locating operational squadrons at the same location as a repair depot can greatly support readiness for the squadron,” the report states. “Ensuring an active base by locating new squadrons at Cherry Point to replace retiring squadrons will keep support infrastructure utilization at good capacity and work toward BRAC-proofing the base.”

FRC East has been designated the depot repair facility for the F-35 lift fan and will have shared responsibility for the F-35B airframe.

“Engineering and depot support in close proximity to the operational units can support on-site Engineering Investigations and repair activities,” the report states.

An advantage for Cherry Point is that FRC East is already the Department of Defense designated Vertical Lift Center of Excellence. The F-35B is a STOVL, short takeoff or vertical landing aircraft.

According to the report, Cherry Point reaps the benefits of regional partnerships formed to support the region’s military installations, like the Military Growth Task Force.

Cherry Point, the report states, benefits from a close relationship with Havelock and Craven County.

The first F-35B production models were expected to be based beginning in 2013 but that date may be slipping more toward 2015 or 2016 due to cost overruns and delays.

One disadvantage, the report states, is Cherry Point’s poor scores in the area of civilian encroachment as it relates to Bogue Field in Carteret County. Mariner’s Bay, a proposed multi-family development, is located at the end of the runway. Cherry Point has attempted several times to purchase the property to stop the development, but the air station has been unsuccessful, according to the report.

There has also been a history of noise complaints in Carteret County and Emerald Isle near Bogue Field.

The report also states that crowded airspace around Cherry Point and its bomb ranges are a concern.

Once the Navy releases its report on basing options, a 45-day public comment period will take place that will include public hearings. The Navy will then use the information gathered to create a final report, expected in the fall.

The Navy is expected to make a final basing decision in December.

April 6, 2010

As a real estate broker I am committed and dedicated to providing a clear understanding and guidance throughout the buying and selling process. I have received many awards for customer service and achievements through out my real estate career. I use this knowledge to make the real estate experience a pleasurable one.

I am an active volunteer at TuckerCreekMiddle School and the Boys and Girls Club and I am a Soccer Mom.

I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband Jerry, is employed at the Fleet Readiness Center East, MCAS. We have 4 children, 1 grandchild, and a dog named Hunter.

Marines crack down on Catfish Lake Road commute

The commanding generals of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations East prohibited Marines and sailors from using the unpaved road except when they have a legitimate reason for being there, like hunting, fishing, or other lawful recreational activities in the Croatan National Forest.

Catfish Lake Road has been a popular shortcut between Havelock and Jacksonville but the road has been the site of numerous crashes involving both military personnel and civilians.

Nearly all wrecks have involved single vehicles sliding off the gravel road and in many cases overturning with serious consequences.

“Two recent mishaps involved the death of a Marine and serious injuries to another,” the order states.

Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commander of MCI East and Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commander of the 2nd MEF, signed the order jointly.

“Both generals have always said their number one priority is the force preservation and the safety and welfare of all those under their command,” said Major Nat Fahy, public affairs officer for Camp Lejeune. “The bottom line for the generals is we don’t want our Marines to push their luck on this road. We do not want to have another senseless tragedy.”

A female Marine, Pfc. Erika Saucier, died in November 2009 after she rolled her truck and suffered serious head trauma and back injuries in a wreck on Catfish Lake Road. Saucier, 14 weeks pregnant, was attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at Cherry Point air station.

“We do know that it is a popular cut-through for Marines going to and from Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune,” Fahy said. “They have no business using it as a cut through for commuting purposes.”

“The risk of vehicle mishaps along Catfish Lake Road are significantly higher because of the curves, blind spots, lack of posted speed limits and absence of roadway lighting at night,” the order states.

March 11, 2010

Military training under way

NEWS-TIMES

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point range operations will be providing support for a U.S. Special Operations Command military training exercise through April 3.

In addition to normal unit level training events taking place throughout the Cherry Point Range and Airspace Complex, special training events will also occur.

Two special boat teams out of Norfolk and Little Creek, Va., will be operating out of Cherry Point and Morehead City, transiting to and from and operating within the prohibited surface areas of Piney Island (BT-11) and Brandt Shoal (BT-9) bombing and gunnery ranges.

They will be operating out of Morehead City now through Friday and out of Cherry Point from March 15 through April 3. They will be conducting live fire operations on each of those days, to include night operations until 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on some nights.

They will be conducting waterborne raids from Cherry Point into Bogue Field the nights of March 29-31. Expect to hear blank fire and see muzzle flashes and possible flares in and around Bogue Field during this training.

This training is a routine predeployment certification and has been coordinated with local authorities and owners of the training sites, according to the military.

Established safety precautions have been taken to prevent unnecessary risk to the general public and the military personnel involved.

The purpose of the exercise is to train in maritime environments that simulate as closely as possible the conditions in which Naval Special Warfare units conduct real-world operations. For safety and security concerns, details of the exercises, their locations or specific information about the units and their personnel in the exercises is not releasable.

Questions can be directed to Cherry Point Public Affairs Office at 252-466-3244.